Drug
Celebrex
celecoxib
Patient Education
Generic Name: celecoxib (oral)
Pronounced: SEL e KOX ib
Brand Name: CeleBREX
What is the most important information I should know about celecoxib?
This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or
stroke, especially if you use it long term. Do not use celecoxib just before or after heart bypass
surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG).
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or
problems with vision or balance.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding
or perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning
while you are taking celecoxib, especially in older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as black, bloody, or tarry
stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines
similar to celecoxib are contained in many combination medicines. Check the label to see if a
medicine contains an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen,
ketoprofen, or naproxen.
What is celecoxib?
Celecoxib is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Celecoxib works by reducing
hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body.
Celecoxib is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis,
ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain. Celecoxib is also used in the treatment of hereditary
polyps in the colon
Celecoxib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking celecoxib?
Do not use celecoxib just before or after heart bypass surgery (coronary artery bypass graft, or
CABG).
This medicine may cause life-threatening heart or circulation problems such as heart attack or
stroke, especially if you use it long term.
This medicine may also cause serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or
perforation (forming of a hole). These conditions can be fatal and can occur without warning while
you are taking celecoxib, especially in older adults.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to celecoxib, or if you have a history of
allergic reaction to aspirin, sulfa drugs, or other NSAIDs.
To make sure you can safely take celecoxib, tell your doctor if you have any of these other
conditions:
a history of heart attack, stroke, or blood clot;
heart disease, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure;
a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding;
liver or kidney disease,
a seizure disorder such as epilepsy;
asthma;
polyps in your nose; or
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder.
FDA pregnancy category D. Taking celecoxib during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm
the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using
celecoxib.
Celecoxib passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take celecoxib without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take celecoxib?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer
than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take celecoxib with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
You may open the celecoxib capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make
swallowing easier. Swallow right away without chewing. Discard the empty capsule. If you do not
take the mixture right away, keep it in the refrigerator and take it within 6 hours.
If you use this medication long-term, your blood will need to be tested often. Visit your doctor
regularly.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since celecoxib is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the
medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is
almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, drowsiness, black or bloody stools,
coughing up blood, shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking celecoxib?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your risk of stomach bleeding.
Avoid taking celecoxib together with other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen
(Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector
Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid),
indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel),
meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), or piroxicam (Feldene).
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, allergy, or pain medicine. Medicines
similar to celecoxib are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together
can cause you to get too much of a certain type of drug Check the label to see if a medicine contains
an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or
naproxen.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Celecoxib can make you sunburn more easily.
Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What are the possible side effects of celecoxib?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives;
difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using celecoxib and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
chest pain, weakness, shortness of breath, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
swelling or rapid weight gain;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes);
skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness; or
severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin
pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and
causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, gas;
dizziness, nervousness, headache;
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat; or
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice
about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect celecoxib?
Ask your doctor before using an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram
(Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or
sertraline (Zoloft). Taking any of these medicines with an NSAID may cause you to bruise or bleed
easily.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix);
fluconazole (Diflucan);
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
a heart or blood pressure medication such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan
(Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis), or
olmesartan (Benicar); or
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril),
quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with celecoxib. Tell your doctor about all
medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do
not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about celecoxib.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines
with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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